Curious about Asian brush painting?

Seen the Chinese landscape
paintings at the Art Institute
and wondered how the are done?

Want to experience the calm meditative quality of practicing brushwork?

Instructor: Bob Schmitt
For over 40 years, Bob has been using ink and brush in the manner of Asian sumi-e (black ink) painters. He has trained professionally since 1998 in the study and practice of traditional Chinese landscape painting and calligraphy with Hong Zhang, a Chinese painting master from Shanghai who resides in Minneapolis. He also has studied with Chinese painting masters, Lok Tok and Yitong Lok of Toronto, Canada since 1995. Bob offers instruction with the endorsement of these three painters. Bob is also a former Early Childhood/Family Education instructor and a trained Montessori teacher.

  Current Class Schedule

Class offerings include:

Chinese calligraphy & landscape painting

Participants will:
• learn the practice of grinding ink/loading brush
• practice the immediacy of putting ink to paper
• explore the discipline of brush painting
• feel the joy of working with these ancient materials

Weekly classes

Each class includes instructor demonstration, discussion, and exercises. Students will take home models for practice and individual exploration. Typical class is one hour of Chinese calligraphy, one hour of landscape painting.
(Class size limited to 6 students)

Previous experience not required. Beginners welcome.

One-day intensive workshop

(offered once a season or by arrangement)
This 6-hour workshop includes demonstrations by instructor,
Bob Schmitt, skill building exercises, working from models of Chinese calligraphy and basic landscapes. Each participant will leave with at least one completed couplet and one simple landscape.

Art for the Nonartist

Still suffering from the “I’m no good at art” syndrome. Maybe it’s time to recover! Reclaim your creative expression! Gentle, fun atmosphere with easy exploration of drawing in pencil, pastels, charcoal and watercolor. No talent is required. Meets concurrent with any painting class.

Chinese painting for parent and child

(offered once a season or by arrangement)

Opportunity for a child and a parent to explore together the traditions of Chinese landscape painting. Classes will include learning to grind ink, use brush and paper, learn basic forms (rock, tree, mountain), and have fun in the process. Some basics of Chinese calligraphy will be covered. Appropriate for children 6+.
(Class size limited to 6 students)

 

 

  < Laughing Waters Summer Art Camp

Six summer mornings exploring a variety of different art media (drawing, painting, pastels, charcoal, and more), walks by the creek and to Minnehaha Falls, and visits to Bob’s garden (sharpening skills of observation and inspiration). Students will create a visual journal. Appropriate for children 7+
(Class size limited to 6 students)



Special events

Bob is available for special events, workshops and classes.

Classes are held at:
Laughing Waters Studio // 3718 Minnehaha Parkway East // Minneapolis, MN 55406,
one block from Minnehaha Falls in south Minneapolis.

For more information, call: 612 333-1881